Cambridgeshire: New County Council Leader

Conservative Councillor Martin Curtis has been elected as the new Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council.

The Councillor for Whittlesey North defeated Independent Councillor John Hipkin and Lib Dem Maurice Leek in a vote at the annual council meeting today (Tuesday).

The meeting was the first meeting of the Council since the Conservatives lost their ruling majority during the local elections.

At the meeting, it was also decided to introduce a new committee style system, with more political parties having a say in decisions, from next May.

Before the local elections, when the Conservatives had a majority on the Council, it was run as a cabinet style system with the Tories having the biggest say over major decisions.

The cabinet style system will remain in place until May next year, when the committee style system will be introduced.

Shortly after being elected Leader, Councillor Curtis told Heart: "I know there's a tough job ahead; we're in a very, very different situation, and we need to adapt to that situation and become more inclusive as a Council.

I'm up for that challenge.

My priorities are to deliver the Council priorities, which are to improve the health and wellbeing of Cambridgeshire, improve the economy of Cambridgeshire and protect and supporting vulnerable people.

We will be doing this in a more inclusive way, recognising that we don't have the majority we once had.

We'll make sure we have a much more inclusive feel to the final decisions made in the Council."